Water Safety Tips from Nationwide & Make Safe Happen

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you enjoying your summertime? We sure are! While the snow gets us down a good part of the year, summer time in Western NY is a beautiful time to be outside having fun with friends and family. And what better place to hang out with the kids this summer than by the pool?

As much fun as swimming is, it also brings some potential danger, which is why Nationwide is working with Safe Kids Worldwide on the Make Safe Happen campaign to help bring awareness to the risk of drowning and help keep our kids safe this summer!

It’s a prime time too – did you know that almost 800 children drown each year. Over half of those are younger than the age of five, and two-thirds of fatal drownings occur in the summer months between May and August. So now is the time to brush up on your water safety knowledge and skills so you can help you keep the kids in your life that you love safe! Check out some other interesting facts from Nationwide and Make Safe Happen:

I think what struck me the most was the idea that drowning is silent – I guess I had always assumed that if someone was drowning, there would be splashing and yelling. Which is why it’s so important to follow the first of the three tips that Make Safe Happen has for us to help keep our kids safe in and around the water:

Practice Active Supervision: Eliminate distractions like checking your phone – make sure to stay within arm’s reach of young swimmers

2. Reduce Risks: Install fences in swim areas, and make sure to empty kiddie pools and tubs right after you use them. Swim lessons are also a fantastic idea, and you can get them for kids as young as one!

3. Be Prepared: In case the worst happens, make sure that you have learned CPR and First aid, that you know the signs of drowning, and that you keep your phone close for calling 911 in the case of an emergency.

If you are like me, your children’s safety is the most important thing in your life, so take the time to educate yourself on water safety. You could save your kids’ lives, or another child! Make sure to stop by the Make Safe Happen website to check out their updated articles, tips and tools to help your kids stay safe this summer! Also, be sure to check out Nationwide on Facebook and Twitter.

What is your favorite summertime water activity to do with your kids, and how do you make sure they keep safe?